General Welding Projects

Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
Are you planning to add some triangulation to that?
 

tx_shooter

It is not a war crime the first time.
Staff member
Are you planning to add some triangulation to that?

Yes, but it does not need much. The 3" tube is really stable. I needed to get the tent up there last night for functional purposes. The front cross bar is welded in place so that brings in a lot of stability. The 3"x2" tube connects to the trailer in two places - first the bottom angle that holds the floor and second the angle top rail is notched for the tube.
 

Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
I was just imagining doing 80 and having to stop suddenly, lots of leverage up high. A piece diagonally between the side braces would go a long ways to prevent it from moving.
 

tx_shooter

It is not a war crime the first time.
Staff member
Much awaited picture of the tent open after flipping the trailer axle this morning. The tent is still high; but only "expo van" tall, not skyscraper tall. The ladder extension from CVT will fix the ladder issue. Once I can put the motorcycles on there to confirm the necessary clearances and load distribution I may be able to drop the tent another 6 to 8 inches. That will have to hold off till v3 build; but overall clearance for the motorcycles is a critical requirement for overall function of the trailer build.

I did see a guy's build where the front tent bolts were on hinges. The rear of the tent would be "bench pressed" up and then pinned in a higher position so the motorcycles could be loaded underneath it. The angle was not a lot but enough to get clearance.

As for the height of the tent; it is lower than a bumper pull 5th wheel would be. Side note; it will be nice to be able to use the annex this trip. Usually the wind is the biggest issue for trying to cook out there; so the annex will give us a sheltered place to cook and will warm up nicely to change clothes, blah blah blah.
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Silverback

Lima Gulf Bravo Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
How about putting the motorcycle on the trailer backwards? Handlebars can be above the tent if need be.
 

tex

That's Mr Asshole to you
Was putting the tent on the 4runner not a choice?

Maybe it's the pics, but seems really tall, and way higher than the motorcycles going under it.
 

tx_shooter

It is not a war crime the first time.
Staff member
Not a choice because I do not want to put it on the 4Runner for this trip. The goal on this is to setup the trailer to be a "hook up and go" solution that the 4R or Tacoma could tow.
 

tx_shooter

It is not a war crime the first time.
Staff member
Test drive went really really good. The trailer did not show any signs of towing instability or load issues. The wind in West Texas will be something else to deal with; but that is how the wind is out there.


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With the 4Runner the tent sits higher than the roof line; but at whatever point I get a different tow vehicle it would probably be a bit closer to the airflow line. In the upcoming months I will setup the hardware for the motorcycles; then the tent height may be adjusted.

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tx_shooter

It is not a war crime the first time.
Staff member
The setup worked pretty good. There are a few changes we want to make but nothing that would have made the trip any different.

Camping with the annex is a big change! It was great having a room out of the weather and wind to change clothes, heat up to a comfortable temp, and store clothes / boxes in. We were driving around with only tools, recovery gear, and the Dometic fridge. It was a noticeable difference between the trails fully loaded vs almost empty.

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AlienXtx

Nignog
Where's the bike?
 

MatthewMay1

amateur professional
Nice. Always thought the RTT on a trailer would be cool, but I don't find myself camping in the same place very often. I am jealous of that annex room!
 

tx_shooter

It is not a war crime the first time.
Staff member
Nice. Always thought the RTT on a trailer would be cool, but I don't find myself camping in the same place very often. I am jealous of that annex room!

Thanks, the annex was a really nice addition to this trip. I am making sure nothing is done that will not allow the tent to go back to the 4Runner as needed. But having the bike for exploring and riding does change some of the possible dynamics for future trips.
 
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